Wednesday, August 15, 2007

Petty

Apparently, both Stephen Harper and Stephane Dion were at the same event today, celebrating the Acadian national holiday. The article mentions that the two leaders never spoke:

Although they never spoke to each other, both Prime Minister Stephen Harper and federal Liberal Leader Stephane Dion joined the throngs of brightly costumed people as they paraded down the main street of Caraquet to mark Acadian Day.

Big parade, lots of people, easy to see how they wouldn't cross paths. However, the link also provides a photo:

Wow, talk about a childish display. "Oh, was that you, right there, can't believe we didn't see each other". Heaven forbid, we can put partisanship aside for a second, and maybe shake hands or share a brief laugh at a apolitical celebration. Has the situation deteriorated so much, that two grown men, leaders of the country, must pretend to ignore each other. Seems pretty petty from here. No comment on who was the likely "snubber", although I will lay odds.

13 comments:

Fully concur. Just because one has different political views doesn't mean they must be hostile to each other at all time. I have friends of all political persuasions and even within my family I have Conservatives, Liberals, Dippers, and Greens.

I agree that this is something that Harper would only do, but I think he hates the Liberals more than any former PM. In addition I suspect all his family and friends are Conservatives so he doesn't realize not all of us Liberals are not all bad people.

Why are you blaming Harper. Dion is a big boy, he could have made the first move, been the one to show he was not petty....but no, he'd rather (whine about being upstaged) paint Harper as a bully at every opportunity.

from the article:'Liberal MP Dominic LeBlanc said Harper and his staff used bully tactics to try and steal the spotlight from Dion at the festival'

Yes, I blame Harper and I'm sure Dion didn't want to be embarrassed with another blatant snub.

The old PM's are friendly. This is new here in Canada.

Reminds me of the US - Reagan's son and others talked about when the Republicans and Dems would fight like hell in senate and congress and then go for a drink together after work. This has not happened since Bush became president - see a pattern here?

Harper is a childish, petty man and as far as I'm concerned isn't mature or manly enough to be PM. He's pathetic and sick and really needs help. Just read Kady O'Mally's blog today and you'll get some of the picture.

Personally, I think the photo is priceless. Dion's expression, while with a bit of his standard goofiness (have to say it), is hilarious. Like, "Come on, I know you can see me? Just nod, come on, you can do it."

Maybe there should have been a cheesecake table behind him (had to say that to).

All kidding aside, it would have not killed them to say hello, though I do think Harper should have made the first move so I don't buy this "Dion should have marched right over" argument. Do any of you remember how "petty" Gingrich was made to be when he tried to "barge in" (that is, approach) Bill Clinton while travelling together on Air Force One. I liked Bill Clinton's presidency, but his staff had a field day turning that event into a slam against Gingrich as some yippy dog trying to get the President's attention when he was busy leading the nation. I could see Harper and company pulling that trick out of the bag.

But, honestly, even in the US papers, I've seen photos of Bush and Pelosi (gasp) at least communicating to each other in a not-unfriendly manner since last January, some times moments before they go to media events behind different lecterns to scold the other on their very severe differences of opinion.

I don't think that says anything, given the circumstances of that event.

joseph

I think you read the situation well. Speculation of course, but Dion looks forsaken, a touch surprised and embarrased, while Harper acts as though he isn't even there. Dion trying to make eye contact, Harper content to stay in grade 2, filled with his intense hatred for all things Liberal.